INTRODUCING NEW GRANT-FUNDED COLLABORATIVE PROJECT 

*NEW* COHORT 2 (apply here: Working Better Together Application Form by October 7, 2025

Empowering Leaders. Strengthening Community

About Program: Working Better Together is a three-month professional development experience for city staff, governmental and institutional partners, and community leaders who want to create more welcoming workplaces and build lasting connections across the Eau Claire region. Participants will attend a series of interactive workshops, complete service projects with local nonprofits, and engage in a two-day immersion experience to learn directly from those impacted by regional disparities.

This program is designed to equip you with practical tools, real-world experience, and a supportive network to help you lead with confidence and compassion. There will be a total of four cohorts with 40 people per group. Future cohorts will be in the Fall of 2025, Spring of 2026, or Summer/Fall of 2026. You may use the application above to express interest in these future events.

Cohort 2 - 2025-2026 Morning workshops 

• Individual Assessment (October 22): Participants complete a Needs Assessment and self-guided reflection on identity, comfort levels, and workplace challenges.
• Climate (November 12): This session explores how supportive climates promote belonging, trust, and values alignment.
• Representation (December 3): Focus on workplace representation in teams, leadership, service design, and communication.
• Decision-making (January 7): Explore decision-making dynamics and power imbalances.
• Strategic Alignment (January 28): Participants self-reflect and set actionable goals to apply culturally responsive practices in daily leadership.

Two-Day Immersion Experience (February 26 and 27): This immersion experience will engage participants in critical community development issues affecting the Eau Claire region and surrounding communities within an 80-mile radius. The program will focus on challenges faced by people from various backgrounds. Through direct engagement with community organizations, narratives from lived experiences, and collaborative activities, participants will develop skills to work effectively in addressing these challenges.

Community Service Project: Throughout this series, participants will also be divided into small groups to take on a short-term community service project to assist local non-profits and service agencies as they address challenges faced by their constituents.

Instructors: Jodi Thesing-Ritter and Dr. Paige Sechrest

Questions: Email Anoosheh Hamzehee at Anoosheh.Hamzehee@EauclaireWi.Gov

Apply: Deadline to express your interest in Cohort 2 is Tuesday, October 7, 2025 and we will notify those who are enrolled no later than October 10, 2025. Indicate your interest here: Working Better Together Application Form